The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation is a group of former African presidents and other influential personalities, have agreed to meet this challenge by advocating for a renewed and revitalized response from our regional leaders, with a focus on proven HIV prevention measures. It is chaired by Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana. Members include Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Mukapa and others. More details about the Champions are available on their website at www.hivfreechampions.org.

 The letter to the presdent of Uganda’s occupation government is reproduced below:

OFFICE OF THE CHAMPIONS SECRETARIAT

Festus G. Mogae
Chairperson
Telephone: + 267-3914071/3914082 Fax: + 267-3914097
Plot No. 115, Unit 4 Millenium Park Kgale Mews GABORONE
P/Bag 00318 GABORONE BOTSWANA

October 30, 2009

CFHIVG-PR-200910

 His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda
State House Nakasero
P.O. Box 24594
Kampala, Uganda

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Champions for an HIV -Free Generation, I send you warmest greetings and best wishes.

We, the Champions for an HlV-Free Generation, are on a mission to exchange ideas and encourage stronger and more visionary leadership in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Sub Saharan Africa. Our mandate is to promote key policy, legal, cultural and behavioral practices, as well as messages that help accelerate the social outcomes needed to achieve an HIV-free generation.

The first is a draft Bill, the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009,” recently introduced by a private member’s motion in the Parliament of  the Republic of  Uganda. Among the most disturbing  provisions of the bill are: Incarceration for any person convicted  of  ”homosexuality”; a sentencing of death for anyone with HIV convicted  of  ”aggravated homosexuality”; incarceration for “promotion of homosexuality”; criminal penalties that apply to citizens and permanent residents living outside of Uganda; and declaring null and void any “international  legal instrument whose provisions are contradictory to the spirit and provisions enshrined in this Act:”

The second Bill that has come to our attention is the draft “‘HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill,” currently under debate in the Uganda Law Reform Commission. Many positive aspects of the bill exist, including provisions against discrimination of people with HIV and AIDS in schools and at places of work. However, one provision of the Bill stipulates incarceration for offenses related to the “breach of safe practices of HIV prevention.”

Your Excellency, we respectfully express our concern at the provisions referenced in these two Bills and fear that passage of such legislation, which deviates from international best practice and recommendations, could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS and the groups most vulnerable to the epidemic.

The 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS, adopted by all UN Member Stares, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of those “at the greatest risk of, and most vulnerable to, new infection as indicated by such factors as … sexual practices.” At the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS, the Member States reiterated their commitment underlying the need for “full and active participation of vulnerable groups … and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them … while respecting their privacy and confidentiality.” Furthermore, assessments conducted by UNAIDS for the General Assembly have confirmed that stigma, discrimination and criminalization faced by men who have sex with men are major barriers to the movement for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

UNAIDS has recommended that governments respect, protect and fulfill the rights of men who have sex with men and address stigma and discrimination in society and in the workplace by amending laws prohibiting sexual acts between consenting adults in private, enforcing anti-discrimination, and promoting programmes for men who have sex with men who may be especially vulnerable to HIV infection.

With respect to the “HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill”, UNAIDS and other international best practices recommend against HIV -specific criminal laws, laws directly mandating disclosure of HIV status, and other laws which are counterproductive to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support efforts, or which violate the human rights of people living with HIV. Inappropriate or overly­ broad application of criminal law to HIV transmission creates a real risk of increasing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, thus driving them further away from HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

Your Excellency, the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation believe that positive action by both government and individual leaders of stature, like yourself, can help create environments that promote HIV prevention efforts and behaviour change. We humbly ask that you take action to halt the harmful provisions in the draft Bills cited in this letter, and by doing so, preserve the rights of all Ugandans.

Yours Sincerely

Mr. Festus G. Mogae

Chairman of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation and Former President of  the Republic of Botswana

Copied To:
(a) The Champions: Their Excellencies: Kenneth Kaunda, Joaquim  Chissano and Benjamin Mkapa; His Grace, Desmond Tutu; Dr. Speciosa Wandira; Justice Edwin Cameron; Prof. Miriam Were and Ms. Liya Kebede

(b) Chairman, Uganda Law Reform Commission

One email from a source close to Museveni’s state house says: “The state house simply had no choice but to stop everyone from printing pictures when the crowds in Kyaggwe and Rakai do not even come to even 20% of what Kabaka would attract. And they are also clearly smaller than what Besigye gets. To make things worse, when Kabaka goes places, people roll themselves in the dust on the road asking him to walk over their back. When  the president goes anywhere, people ignore his length speeches and as soon as he finishes start complaining  about everything from terrible roads, land grabbing by ‘foreigners’ and drunkard husbands. In a couple cases he has been asked to explain why he does not leave Kabaka alone.”

In a related development, another Uganda government source who is in contact with Mr. Museveni’s convoy in Rakai, Kooki county, sent us an email to say that Mr. Museveni is spending two days in the area to have more time with his local spies regarding the deteriorating security situation in both Buddu and Kooki counties. And, reportedly, to dish out bribes to local NRM operatives and other locals with a long-term goal of undermining  both Omutaka Kabumbuli and the Kabaka in Kooki.  Museveni reportedly gives out the bribe money  during secret night meetings and, while in the Kooki area, he is sleeping only about 3-4 hours a night.

According to our reporter, the lion of Buganda went on to give as example, leaders who practice decisive politics in an effort to divide Buganda into artificial chiefdoms. Warning that, “we must not tolerate what such leaders are doing.”

In the presence of his wife, Nnabagereka Nnaginda, the Kabaka promised that his kingdom nation will never promote constant ethnic conflicts because, “we value unity and not divisions in Buganda”.

Last week Kabaka Mutebi reluctantly went to Museveni’s state house after the Ugandan warlord threatened that if Ssabasajja did not meet him, he would introduce laws to abolish kingdoms and probably arrest  His Majesty. Our sources tell us that Kabaka Mutebi was not too concerned by Museveni’s empty talk but Katikkiro Walusimbi, other old Baganda and CBS Radio shareholders convinced him that Museveni was willing to entertain most of Buganda’s demands if the Kabaka spoke to him.  Although, Museveni dressed up properly to meet Kabaka Mutebi, including putting on dress shoes and walking his painful feet straight, he broke his promise to Walusimbi within minutes after the Buganda delegation arrived. Museveni took everyone by surprise when he told them to wait he spoke to Kabaka Mutebi for some minutes. The minutes turned into a full hour, after which Museveni’s state house and Katikkiro both started spinning that the private talks between were “ground breaking”.  Nothing on the original agenda took place because of the Museveni scam (kavuyo).

Surprisingly, next day, Katikkiro Walusimbi issued a statement claiming that, the meeting between Ssabasajja and the Ugandan warlord had removed all tensions between Buganda and her NRM occupiers (see “Katikkiro JB Walusimbi Praises Gunpoint Meeting Between Kabaka and Museveni“). Then Deputy Katikkiro Ssendaula wrote to all Kabaka’s representatives outside Buganda  asking them to tell Diaspora Baganda to be “very calm” while Mmengo talks to the occupying forces. Owek. Ssendaula’s letter angered some Baganda because it seems to focus only on  “not upsetting Museveni” and says nothing about the plight of Kabaka Mutebi and many of his loyal subjects who were murdered or are under torture in the NRM governments prisons and safe houses (see “Deputy Katikkiro and Kabaka’s Representative Anger UK Baganda“).

The consensus among all the 4 Baganda analysts who we have contacted is that Kabaka Mutebi made the strong statements in Buwekula to clearly and publicly disown the appeasing, apologetic and sometimes cowardly tone of the statements which his Katikkiro and his Deputy have been making.  One analyst named David Kasozi said: “Once a Muganda radical, always a Muganda radical. And Ssabasajja joined us Baganda radicals a long time ago. We, under Kabaka Mutebi’s leadership,  are not quitting until Buganda is ruled on her own terms, probably as an independent monarchy.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the angry Buganda Government official told us that certain people who are cowards or stand to gain financially have been putting pressure on Kabaka to speak to Museveni.  He elaborated: “A major problem is that too much of Mmengo is run on a part-time basis by businessmen, including some who make millions per month for being associated with the Buganda government. As it was in the 1900 agreement, the most vocal of these people advise the Kabaka based on their own needs. And even now, the loudest voices put Buganda and Kabaka second.  I won’t name names yet, but some of the, so called senior Baganda leaders  persistently invite Museveni’s Gilbert Bukenya to come and spy and Kabaka Mutebi, even when they know that he supports the abolishment of kingdoms.”

Our source close to Museveni’s state house has separately confirmed  to us that they expect Kabaka Mutebi to come with, “whatever is remaining of his officials”. According to the source, Museveni is by that by forcing Mutebi to come to Entebbe against his achieves a few important things: (a) Erase the image that Kabaka is stronger than Museveni and demoralize Baganda youth, who remain the toughest problem for Museveni; (b) Isolate Kabaka Mutebi, weaken the radical Mmengo wing and strengthen the NRM elements in Mmengo. Our source also warns that there is little chance of CBS FM Radio, one the items the Mmengo ‘businessmen’ want discussed, will actually happen. The source says, “If Museveni allows CBS to reopen, his conditions will be so tough that it will become a mere shell of the original ‘Radio ya Ssabasajja’ jewel.”

Shortly after Museveni’s New Vision newspaper announced the Wednesday meeting on Monday, a leading Buganda analyst, in New York,  sent us email to warn Baganda against getting too excited if the meeting takes place at all. He wrote: “Even if it turns out that the New Vision report is true and Kabaka Mutebi will meet Museveni, smart Baganda will see it for the farce what it is. By forcing Kabaka Mutebi to meet him against his will Museveni has created a classic occupation similar to the German occupation of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1940.  The only big difference is that Germany has a strong organized military and government, while Museveni’s are falling apart. Interestingly, as is the case in Buganda today , top Danish government officials and religious leaders were quick to collaborate with Nazi Germany in 1940.  At the end of the day, though, Denmark is an independent constitutional monarchy today.  We Baganda are even lucky because a few of the Mmengo officials are brave and determined to support our Kabaka. Clearly, Buganda is under armed occupation as the NY/JN chapter of Ggwaga Mujje said in their press release. Therefore, whatever agreement Kabaka is forced to sign under duress is null and void. “

The Serumaga family has published a statement which describes in detail the events surrounding the abduction, torture and medical mistreatment of  popular Muganda journalist, Kalundi Serumaga, by Uganda’s  NRM government from September 11 through 15, 2009. According to the family statement, Robert Kalundi Serumaga was abducted by 5 armed men outside the studios of WBS TV, Spear House at about 11pm on Friday September 11, 2009. Robert had just left the studios where he had appeared on the Kibazo live discussion program. He was accompanied by his colleagues.

As they departed, Robert  was approached by the men, two of whom grabbed him by his trouser belt, and told him they were arresting him. He asked them who they were and they claimed to be responded police officers. One held up a piece of paper purposely to support their claim. They then immediately began to assault him.  Robert put up a fight until they threw him to the ground, after which they threw his telephones towards his colleagues.

Apparently, Robert fell unconscious thereafter and was dragged from the scene to De Winton Road where his attackers  bundled him in to the back seat of a waiting Toyota Mark II. He regained consciousness in the car as the men tried to undress him and remove things from his pockets.  The trip ended at the infamous Kireka JATT torture center where, next day, he was repeatedly slapped and punched by president Museveni’s operatives during questioning. In the meantime, Robert’s brother, Kizito Sserumaga searched all Police Stations in Kampala to no avail.

Kizito contacted the Irish Embassy for assistance, as Robert is a citizen of Ireland by birth. A concerted effort by the Serumaga family, involving the Irish ambassador to Uganda, TV stations and the Uganda Journalists Association, plus increasing awareness of the kidnap in the international media, convinced Mr. Museveni to produce Robert Serumaga. He was produced by the notorious CID officer, Jonah Kule on September 12, 2009. However, despite the sorry state of his health, Robert was put in a cell that day, without medical attention, where he was again physically assaulted.

Robert first got treatment on September 13, 2009, when the Police doctor, Dr Moses Byaruhanga, arrived took him to the International Medical Centre at KPC, under heavy guard. Later the Rwandese commander of Uganda police, Kale Kayihura, allowed Serumaga to be moved to Kampala International Hospital as the family wished. Earlier, Dr. Byaruhanga had insisted that Robert must only be admitted in the government’s dilapidated Mulago Hospital, where NRM opponents have been reportedly murdered by Mr. Museveni’s agents.

Contravening Mr. Museveni’s Uganda constitutional requirement that suspects be charged in court within 48 hours, Robert was produced at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court on September 15, 2009. He was charged with 6 counts of sedition resulting from his remarks during the Kibazo program on WBS TV. He was granted bail and release shortly afterwards.

The Serumaga family also reveals that they took a photo (by cell phone) of one of Robert’s torturers when, at the International Medical Center when one of  Robert’s colleagues recognized him as one his original kidnappers. It a bizarre twist, after learning that someone in the Serumaga party had taken the photo, the police brought their video unit and filmed Serumaga and all his family and friends, in an apparent act of intimidation. The Serumaga family showed the torturer’s police commander Kale Kayihura explained that the man in question had, at the JATT torture center, inserted his thumbs and fingers in Robert’s eyes and attempted to gouge them out. He claimed not to know the man in the photo but said that he will be able to produce him if he is on the police force.

Below is a summary of specific demands that the Serumaga family statement concludes with (see more details):

1. They will not participate in investigations in the torture of Robert by the NRM government and its agents unless INTERPOL is involved.

2. They are unwilling for Robert to return to CPS or any other police station while suspected criminal elements are still employed and deployed there.

3.  They demand disciplinary action is taken against Mr Edward Ochom, of CID for attempting to send Robert to Mulago, which could compromise his safety.

4. They demand that disciplinary action is taken against the police’s Dr Moses Byaruhanga for unprofessional conduct.

5. They demand the investigation of the plainclothes policeman who filmed Robert’s children at Kibuli Police Station on September 15, 2009 and those who threatened Robert’s family on and September 12-13 outside CPS.

6. They demand the investigation of Simon Kuteesa’s role in the abduction and torture of Kalundi Robert Sserumaga.

7. They demand the immediate suspension and investigation of CID’s  Jonah Kule who was seen in deep conversation with the perpetrator who was photographed by the family.

The Serumaga family statement on the unlawful abduction and torture of their brother, son and father Robert, which they posted on the Ugandans At Heart blog is reproduced in full below:

RE: THE UNLAWFUL ARREST, TORTURE AND DETENTION OF KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA ON FRIDAY 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009 UNTIL TUESDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

ABDUCTON

1. KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA WAS ABDUCTED BY 5 armed men outside the studios of WBS television, Spear House at about 11pm on Friday 11^th September 2009. Robert had just left the studios where he had appeared on Kibazo on Friday, a discussion programme.

2. He was in the company of Kibazo, Bernard Tabaire, Charles Rwomushana and Mary Ikazi. The men approached him as their group broke up.

3. As they departed, Mr Sserumaga was approached by the men, two of whom took hold of him by the belt, and told him they were arresting him. He asked them who they were to which one responded police. He held up a piece of paper which may or may not have been an identity card, as he looked away. They then immediately began to assault him.

4. Mr Sserumaga put up a fight until they threw him to the ground. After that he threw his telephones towards his colleagues.

5. He then fell unconscious and was dragged from the scene to De Winton Road and was bundled in to the back seat of a waiting Toyota Mark II. He regained consciousness in the car as the men tried to undress him and remove things from his pockets. When he started demanding to taken to a police station, one of the men tried to cover his mouth, and another fight ensued. As he fought to resist them they punched him and gouged at his eyes with their fingers, and also bent his head backwards and choked him.

JATT/KIREKA 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

1. He was driven to Kireka and logged in to a book and put in a cell with 25 other men, mainly youth.

2. In the morning, a procession of guards came to the cell door and made all manner of threats to his life, and make sectarian insults to him, as well as the other prisoners. Finally the doors flew open and a tall well-built and well-dressed man in his mid-forties stood in the doorway and began to slap and punch him in the face while demanding answers.

3. This statement is supported by the medical examination carried out by Dr M. Galukande at International Medical Centre, KPC building on 13^th and International Hospital, Kisugu between 13^th and 15^th September 2009.

4. Kizito Sserumaga searched all Police Stations in Kampala from that time to 3 am to no avail.

CENTRAL POLICE STATION 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

1. Kizito contacted the Irish Embassy as Robert is a citizen of Ireland by birth. We went to Central Police Station (CPS) where we were told he was not there and his whereabouts were unknown. We made a public appeal via NTV outside CPS and we were surrounded by 5 armed soldiers in red berets and two plainclothes men. We immediately made another appeal at a Press Conference organized by UJA. During that conference, the Irish Embassy informed us Robert was being transported to CPS after which we went back to CPS. We found Kalundi Robert Sserumaga in the custody of Jonah Kule, O/C CID, at CPS. He was being held handcuffed with two other gentlemen, both Local Councillors from Makindye Division area. They had been tricked out of their houses at night on the pretext that there was a disturbance in the area, and then bundled in to a van at gunpoint and taken to Kireka.

2. We immediately asked that Robert be allowed medical attention. Kule insisted on waiting from instructions but that we would be able to do so. Later we were informed Robert was going to be released after i). WBS deposited a film of the Kibazo on Friday broadcast with CPS, ii) that Robert make 2 supplementary statements and iii). that he provide 3 sureties. These conditions were met. After the process of providing the sureties, Kule suddenly ordered us all out of the room, including Ernest Kalibbala the lawyer and then informed Robert that he had orders from above to return him to the cells.

3. We escorted Robert to the ground floor. After that the police physically pushed us out of the station entrance and down the stairs while brandishing sticks. Those of us already outside were threatened by the armed soldiers seated along the wall, numbering over ten and the man in plain clothes from earlier who was carrying a stick.

4. 13^th SEPTEMBER 2009 We returned to CPS where Robert was now without shoes and had still not received medical attention. He had tried to inform a woman officer -one Commissioner Ayisu- in CID that he had been assaulted at which she laughed and said it was impossible. Mr Simon Kuteesa, Head of Media crimes informed us that he does not put people in car boots. He received a telephone call in our presence and said in our hearing that the prisoner ‘did not look too bad’. The entire time, there were two mambas, outside the station, countless men in plainclothes carrying sticks and whips, people in police uniform carrying sticks.

5. In the afternoon, we telephoned John Nagenda, Media Adviser to the President. We informed him that the story had broken in the international media and that we were going to continue to campaign for Robert’s release. Mr Nagenda was at that point was aware of the abduction but not of the torture. He arranged for us to meet Major General Kale Kayihura, Inspector General of Police. Mr Kayihura informed us the Irish ambassador had spoken to him and asked us what we wanted. We said our first priority was medical attention for Robert. Secondly we were formally complaining about being physically assaulted and ejected from CPS. Mr Kayihura telephoned Mr Ochom, Director CID, CPS and instructed him to have Robert examined at a hospital of our choice and admitted at a hospital of our choice if necessary. IGP Kayihura also telephoned Mr Sorowen the officer in charge of CPS and instructed him to ensure there was no humiliation of suspects and their relatives and the public generally. IGP summoned Mr Ochom and instructed him to implement everything agreed in that meeting and to ensure Robert was taken to a hospital of his choice immediately. He called in on Johnson Karugaba of the Professional Standards Unit to investigate our complaints. We then returned to CPS.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

1. After the Police Surgeon, Dr Moses Byaruhanga arrived, we traveled to International Medical Centre at KPC, under guard. There was an attempt to make Robert travel without shoes in order to humiliate him which we resisted. The armed and uniformed policemen sitting on the back of the pick-up truck and the plainclothes policemen became angry and said they would teach M. Serumaga a lesson (‘Tujja kukulaga enkola’.)

2. Dr Moses Galukande carried out the examination and the results are consistent with Robert’s description of the assault. He diagnosed concussion as Robert could not account for some time between the first onslaught and being bundled in to the car. He recommended observation, neurological tests and rest. Immediately Dr Byaruhanga stated that he had to be referred to Mulago Hospital. He said it was the law and that Mulago was ‘the national referral hospital’. When he insisted, Mary Serumaga tried but failed to telephone IGP, Kale Kayihura. She then telephoned Mr J. Nagenda who spoke to Dr Byaruhanga and told him there was no problem with admitting Robert at International Hospital Kampala as long as he was under guard. He said Government’s only reservation was that we should not expect them to pay the bills, which we accepted. Dr Byaruhanga still insisted that he needed to speak to Mr Ochom, Director CID. We refused to board the vehicles to be taken to Mulago Hospital, a government institution which we felt to be unsafe. Robert stated if they insisted on Mulago, he would prefer to retun to the CPS cells without any treatment. After nearly an hour Mr Ochom relented and allowed us to go to IHK.

3. 13^th September 2009 Robert was admitted at IHK at approximately, nearly 48 hours after he had been very seriously assaulted.

4. Dr Galukande diagnosed concussion and recommended neurological tests. We returned to CPS to collect Robert’s bags. Again, Kule introduced another condition. He wanted, Robert to sign a charge sheet before going to hospital. He also wanted his passport. We ignored both instructions as 48 hours had elapsed and the police were merely trying to legitimize their abduction of Robert Sserumaga. Eventually Kule gave in and we proceeded to IHK.

5. Robert was admitted to IHK at about 8.30pm where he underwent tests and had some bed-rest. He was escorted by over 5 armed soldiers to Kampala Hospital for a CT scan.

FORMAL CHARGES

1. Tuesday 15^th 2009 we were informed that Robert would be collected from the hospital at 10am to go to the Police for finger-printing and formal charging. Robert refused at first to co-operate because he wanted it to be acknowledged that he was being charged after 48 hours of detention had elapsed, i.e. he had been being held illegally.

2. Robert was produced at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court and charged with 6 counts of sedition resulting from his remarks on Kibazo. The State opposed bail and was overruled by the Magistrate on the grounds that even if Robert were a flight risk, that could be cured by his depositing his passport with the Court. Also that because the validity of the sedition laws was being challenged in the Constitutional Court and it was not possible to try Robert immediately, he would grant bail.

3. We reported to IGP’s office that we were surrounded by ‘security operatives’ outside the court building eavesdropping on our conversations and stated we were holding IGP responsible for our continued security, and left the Court.

LEGAL AND MEDICAL COSTS AND SOLIDARITY

1. We would like to express our gratitude to the members of our communities and the public for your overwhelming support. The journalism profession has been a pillar of strength and has boosted our morale with their presence and their coverage.

2. We are grateful to Open Society, Uganda Journalists’ Association, and East African Journalists’ Association all of whom have offered to pay Kalundi Robert Sserumaga’s legal costs. We are grateful for the fact that his medical costs were covered in advance and without our knowledge. P. E. N. International Clifford Derrick Committee to Protect Journalists (S. Africa) have also expressed solidarity.

INVESTIGATION IN TO THE ABDUCTION AND TORTURE

1. During the time we were waiting for Dr Galukande’s report at IM Centre, Mary Ikazi spotted a man in a lavender jacket, white cap and dark glasses. He was carrying a long thin stick or car, that were commonly used by kiboko squad members during the rioting. He was short in stature, about 5ft tall. He was peeping through the window of IMC where he had been sitting with O/C CID, J. Kule. M. Ikazi froze and told us that he was one of the men who had abducted and assaulted Robert. Mary Serumaga photographed him with a cell phone. The plainclothes policemen with whom he was standing warned him that he was being photographed at which he covered his face with his lapels, turned his back and then they all scattered. One policeman returned and took photographs of M. Serumaga and M. Ikazi. [The following Tuesday at Kibuli Police Station they filmed M. Serumaga and made close-up films of Robert's children in our view. This was an act of intimidation.]

2. 14 September 2009 at about 5.30pm we spoke to IGP Kayihura about the police brutality experienced by Robert Sserumaga. We thanked him for finally permitting the delayed medical treatment even though it required the intervention of the Ambassador of Ireland and other lovers of justice and peace before he acted. We showed him the photograph of the man who had inserted his thumbs and fingers in Robert’s eyes and attempted to gouge them out. We informed him the man had followed us to the International Medical Centre and only ran away after we had photographed him. IGP stated he did not know the man but he would investigate. At first he said he and all those in plain clothes carrying sticks were policemen, if so, he is able to produce this man.

3. We informed IGP that his instructions about the medical facility Robert should be allowed to access were countermanded by Dr M. Byaruhanga the Police Surgeon and Mr Ochom, Director CID at CPS. They preferred to discuss the matter with persons unknown to us. He seemed to express shock that such clear instructions could be changed.

4. We requested Interpol be asked to help locate the abductors, to which IGP responded he has no objection although he would prefer we work with Uganda Police in the matter. He assigned Assistant IGP, Mr J.M. Okoth Ochola, in charge of Special Duties to investigate the matter. We agreed with Mr Okoth Ochola that we would contact him after the court appearance.

5. 15^th September 2009, the same woman officer at CID who had refused to record Robert’s complaint of torture, telephoned him as he left court inviting him to make a statement.

THE WAY FORWARD

1. In view of the fact that the orders of Major General Kale Kayihura IGP are so easily countermanded by officers junior to him, receiving ‘orders from above’; that one of the offending officers (see paragraph 13 ) is now assigned to the investigating team; two officers Kule and Ayisu, have already dismissed the reports of assault as “impossible”, we decline to participate in the investigation unless Interpol is involved.

2. In any case we are unwilling for Robert to return to CPS or any other police station while suspected criminal elements are still employed and deployed there.

3. We demand disciplinary action is taken against Mr Edward Ochom, Director of CID at CPS for trying to ensure Robert was sent to Mulago where his safety would have been compromised. We demand to know from where above Kale Kayihura’s head, Mr Ochom was receiving instructions. As Director of CID at CPS where the kiboko squad move about freely and interact with senior officers and have meals in the police canteen, we hold Ochom responsible for the deployment of the kiboko squad to abduct, detain and torture Kalundi Robert Sserumaga.

4. We demand the same in regard to Dr Moses Byaruhanga who kept us at IM Centre for over 30 minutes while liaising on the telephone about sending Robert to Mulago. Although he was supposed to carry out his own examination, he did not and it appears his role was to ensure Robert was admitted to Mulago Hospital. He failed in that.

5. We demand the investigation of the plainclothes policeman who filmed Robert’s children at Kibuli Police Station on 15^th September 2009 and those who threatened Robert’s family on 12^th and 13 September outside CPS.

6. We demand the investigation of Simon Kuteesa’s role in the abduction and torture of Kalundi Robert Sserumaga. Kuteesa was instrumental in convincing us on 13^th September that Robert was going to be released for medical treatment in a few hours as long as he had three sureties and a passport. He then vanished at about 10pm before Kule said he had ‘orders from above’ to detain him further. Kuteesa has consistently acted in an unprofessional manner treating our complaints about torture as a joke. He too receives anonymous ‘orders from above’ and made a ‘phonecall assuring someone that Robert was not too badly injured even though he had no medical evidence. Simon Kuteesa is a callous and dangerous man.

7. We demand the immediate suspension and investigation of O/C CID, Jonah Kule who was seen in deep conversation with the perpetrator we managed to photograph outside IM Centre during Robert’s medical examination, Kule is in direct command of the kiboko squad and is a danger to all Ugandans.

0782199589

The End.

Ibrahim Semujju Nganda may not know it but he made Museveni sweat on July 12, 2009! According impeccable sources close to Mr. Museveni’s state house, this young man is the first person to make President Museveni sweat in his pants since he took over government by the barrel of the gun. And this happened during the infamous WBS TV debate where Museveni declared: “I can never allow Federo for Buganda”.

On July 12, 2009 Museveni participated in a debate with Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, political editor at The Observer news paper and John Kakande, news editor at the government’s New Vision. The moderator was one Peter Kibazo.  Despite the warm temperatures in Kampala, the Uganda strongman came clad in European winter clothing, including head gear, winter gloves, winter boots and a combed wool neck scarf. Seemingly awed by the presence of the president, Kibazo gave Mr. Museveni the opportunity to make a brief opening statement. Mr. Museveni characteristically attempted to belittle his debating opponents by saying that the came to WBS TV because after listening debates about the Teso famine, he felt, “[I am very] sorry that you could see these young people just speaking about things they don’t care to find out about or just viciously telling lies. I felt sad.”

Later in debate things got tough for Mr. Museveni attempted to patronize Mr. Semujju when the Observer editor asked the president why his government is perennially unable to plan for disasters like the ongoing Teso famine.  Semujju argued: “Mr. President, but if we did not see this as a country it means there is a big structural failure: that we cannot predict there will be a problem. Now that we have to go back to the budget and begin re-allocating, it is a failure on the part of government.”  Unable to effectively respond to Semujju, Mr. Museveni made what, according to our sources, was the fatal mistake. In response to another Ssemujju statement, “[Mr. President] there are now [Teso] people who come to you asking for food”, Museveni disjointedly responded, “Of course when they are distributing, Mr. Ssemujju Nganda who specializes in writing biased articles in The Observer, now you have extended your confusion to WBS…”. Semujju then fired the shot which reportedly made Mr. Museveni sweat in his winter clothing.

Semujju directly looked at Museveni and asked, “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” Museveni had no immediate answer.

According to our sources, Mr. Museveni felt so embarrassed and angry that this “small boy” had publicly challenged him. “Museveni had never had any Ugandan look him in the eye and asked him, ‘What is the bottom line?’ since, maybe Muliika. But even with Muliika it was a bit indirect. Whether it is Bukenya or Nsibambi or JB Walusimbi or Tinyefuza, everyone speaks in parables when talking to Museveni. To make things worse, the anger caused by Semujju got Mr. Museveni to unintentionally let out the secret that he would never allow Federo for Buganda.

After getting back to statehouse the president consulted Tamale Mirundi, Byaruhanga, Kobushenga, Mafabi, Mwesigye, Wabudeya and, I think, even Karooro Okurut. He  seemed to be really humbled and asking for opinions. That how it was decided that people like Tamale Mirundi and Wabudeya should issue statements saying that the Museveni was only expressing his current thoughts but it is the NRM to take official positions and he could also change his thoughts.”

The debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu left out the critical “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” question. However, it includes a part where Mr. Museveni says to Semujju in connection with another subject: “I am going to ask the lawyers to look at it. I am not threatening you, you have got rights and other citizens have rights.”

When asked to comment on this story before publication, a leading Muganda analyst based in New York commented: “Semujju may not know it but he gave Museveni his first real ‘Emperor has no clothes’ moment.  Museveni has been playing lion for so long, chasing various Nsibambis, Bukenyas and Bidandis to feast on.  It is clear that the man panicked when a Semujju chased him, even if for a 20 seconds.  What we Baganda are praying for is a Mengo which can understand and properly utilize our power to be lion and chase. Because,  the off-the-calf, inconsistent and sometimes apologist statements from Mengo on Bafuruki, Bukedde boycott, Federo and other major issues leave us wondering…”

Click here to read the full debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu on the Observer newspaper site.

The statement, which was sent to various news outlets and government officials is reproduced below:

Bunyoro kingdom to demonstrate against Kabaka visit to Ndaiga

Dear Editors;

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom May 22, 2009 issued a statement saying the kingdom is to join Mubende Banyoro Committee on June 5, 2009, to demonstrate against among others things, the planned June 25, 2009, Kabaka Mutebi’s visit to Ndaiga to cement Buganda Kingdom’s claim on the Mailo Akenda part of (3000 sq miles) which is in Buyaga and Bugangaizi counties of Bunyoro-Kitara.

The statement issued by the Katiikiro, Mr. Yabezi Kiiza, says if the Kabaka wants to assert Buganda’s ownership of land in Kibaale District which is the land the Uganda Constitution says the Kabaka must surrender under the Land Fund in the Uganda Constitution, the Kabaka will be breaching the Uganda Constitution. The katiikiro says these counties were connstitutionally transferred to Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom. So, Buganda has no say in them.

The Katiikiro’s statement follows a resolution adopted by Mubende Banyoro Committee on May 11, 2009 in which they wrote to the Inspector-General of Police seeking permision to demonstrate peacefully against Government failure to return Banyoro land as the referendum of 1964 decrees.

Octoebr 8, 2008 Kabaka Ronald Muwenda  was stopped by Police from visiting Buruuli county where he was going to celebrate Buganda’s independence Day. The Baruulli warned him not to go there before he got persmission from the Isaabaruuli, Mwogezi Butamanya. He defied the Baruuli. whereupon they deployed the youths to stop him. The Uganda Government through the Police stopped the Kabaka from going to Nakasongola.

Last week Buganda Government made arrangments for the Kabaka to visit Bunyala county (Bugerere) but the Banyala, through their Cultural Head, The Isaabanyala, Captain Kimeze, warned him not to step in Bunyala unless he has official permission from the Isaabanyala, the  Cultural head.

In in1961 the late Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Muteesa used force to visit  Buyaga county,at Karutguuza, where the Banyoro had warned him not to go. there. The Banyoro erected roadblocks to stop him, but the Kabaka, using  Kawonawos, stormed the road blocks and went to Karuguuza Market where he found Banyoro buying and selling goods and he shot and killed nine Banyoro, including the Market Master, Ntogota.

Today Buganda Kingdom says the Kabaka is going to go, by force, to Bunyala county, and to Ndaiga. The Banyoro are already mobilising themselves to stop the Kabaka from going to Ndaiga.

Now get the official statement from Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom issued by the Katiikiro.

Henry Ford Miirima
Press Secretary of the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara

The bank officer said: “First is the global financial crisis which, unfortunately, both the BOU governor and ministry of finance (MOF) chose to joke about early this year. However, it has caused the funds remitted by Ugandans abroad, especially Baganda, doing kyeeyo to fall drastically as work becomes harder to get.  Similarly, local NGO’s and church pastors are experiencing a tough time fundraising in the USA and Europe. Many of them are collapsing or firing employees as the dollars dry up.

“The second major reason is that our exports are not seriously growing in dollar terms. Even the  recent increase in exports to Southern Sudan seem appears to have been a bubble because the Sudanese central government is now limiting the supply of dollars to the South due to political tensions.  The dollar shortage in Sudan has in turn reduced the dollars which corrupt Southern officials have been bringing into Uganda to bank or buy mansions and Buganda land.”

The third reason that the banking officer gave is Uganda official corruption and greed. He pointed out that: “Mr. Museveni’s  state house has squandered tens of millions of dollars on deals like the presidential jet, grants to fake investors like Basajjabalaba and numerous so called ‘classified’ withdraws.  When other government officials see how Mr. Museveni’s state house is stealing, they can only emulate. Over time, this unending corruption has scared the more serious investors from the local stock exchange and our government securities. In fact the weak securities markets are only surviving on laundered money which the owners are still afraid to send out of Uganda.”

The BOU employee warned that the value of the Shilling was likely to continue falling for sometime. He explained: “I think that the donors are likely to cut aid to Uganda before they  increase it, because the political situation is likely to get much worse as the 2011 elections approach.  Both the domestic and external debts are likely to get worse because Mr. Museveni is creating more districts even as we speak. He is also preparing to grow army, police and other imports before the elections.  And our FOREX reserves are not enough to allow Mutebire to support the Shilling by selling dollars.  Maybe for a few weeks.”

Below are the US Dollar exchange rates for since January (on the 20th of each month): 

For example in 2003 Mr. Museveni used the $30 million Gulf Stream IV to fly his daughter to a hospital in Germany so she could give birth, at a cost of over $35,000, excluding hospital fees. He unapologetically told the local press that he had to do for his family security because he did not trust Ugandan doctors. And it is true that Uganda’s medical services are by far the poorest in East Africa, largely because the starting salary of a Uganda doctor is less than US$300 per month compared to US$1,000 or more in Rwanda, Kenya and much of Tanzania.

According to Transparency International, Uganda is one of the most corrupt and politically unstable countries, described by diplomats as a “crooks’ heaven”. For example five members of the president’s immediate family hold senior government positions. Most notable are his wife Janet who is Minister for Karamoja Region, home of Uganda’s gold mineral reserves and his super corrupt half-brother Salim Saleh Akandwanaho is Presidential Advisor on security. After coming to power through a military coup, Mr. Museveni has ruled Uganda without interruption and all signs are that he intends to remain president until his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, can take over from him.

Available data supports the argument by Baganda analysts that European and American tax payers are directly and actively funding Mr. Museveni’s human rights abuses and excesses. Mr. Museveni’s local government system is all but fully funded by Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany’s GTZ and KfW have pumped millions into shoddy roads and the financial sector only to end up with a quasi-criminal business class in the country, dominated by Museveni relatives and cronies. USAID has not escaped, as millions of American tax payer money has been channeled into fake agricultural and social development programs used to report bogus economic growth and AIDS control statistics with no real improvements on the ground.  Today, at least 50% of Uganda’s national budget is funded by western donors, led by Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA. That is why European and American taxpayers are actively funding Mr. Museveni to spend US$102 million (3% of the US$3B 2007/2008 national budget) on a house and a plane within 12 months. That is, not counting operating and maintenance costs.

I was happy when Musa told me that he managed to see you and that you look excellent. He also told us that he has never tasted better “ngenge” than you cooked when he visited you. Also thank you very much for all the gifts you sent.

Maama, Musa told about your anger that Museveni has made sure that of resident district commissioners (RDCs) who implement his actions and local money spending in Buganda are from the West.  And that it made you feel that Buganda is under occupation (”buwambe”). You know me, I immediately started to check it out in Google. The place I landed is Museveni’s  own state house website and the evidence was right there for everyone to see.

By the way, although Museveni spent tens of millions of dollars on building the state house, his website has not been updated since October 2008.  Yet, he can have some of his people in Kampala do it for little money per month.

Anyway Maama, I found the 80 RDCs that Museveni appointed  a few months ago and noted the ones for Buganda. When you check them carefully, you will see that you were 100% right to be angry. True, these RDC’s are responsible for ensuring that the policies and budget of Museveni’s government are implemented as expected. Of the 16 RDCs in Buganda 69% are from the West and only 4 (25%) are Baganda (staunch supporters of Museveni). When you compare, only 1 (5%) of 20 RDCs in the Western region is a Muganda and 17 (85%) are westerners.

So whoever told you Maama is correct. The westerners, many of whom are openly anti-Baganda, are in charge what President Museveni does to Baganda and Buganda. But they keep full control in the West too! Maama I have checked, Baganda are really under hostile occupation. A few are only too confused to realize it because of the small bribes they give them.

We are praying for you and Buganda.

Son, Joshua

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S POLITICAL ADMINISTRATORS IN BUGANDA AND WESTERN REGION
Source: www.statehouse.go.ug

RDCs Ruling in Buganda (click to see details)

RDCs Ruling in The West (click to see details)

Source: www.statehouse.go.ug